Test cricket needs a strong Trans-Tasman rivalry

It's been encouraging to witness the rising tension between Trans-Tasman cricket rivals in recent days, for Test cricket needs a combative series to renew a rivalry which has all but slipped off the cricketing radar in the past decade.

Ahead of the Australia-New Zealand Test beginning on Thursday, attention is focusing on the tourists, including emerging batsman Kane Williamson. Photo: Steve Christo

Much made of the Chappell-Hadlee one-day series when the trophy was introduced a decade ago, but as the Black Caps slipped down the world pecking order in all formats and Australia's eye turned towards India, with the Ashes also a major focus and South Africa another important cog, there appeared to be little thought given to the Caps.

That changed earlier this year when the two nations successfully hosted the World Cup and would feature in the final.

More open dialogue followed, and the two nations later agreed, as Cricket Australia's press release stated, to "return to centre stage" the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, with 18 one-day internationals between the nations to be staged in the next four years.

That trophy, of course, is not the prize on offer for the impending Test series – that remains the rather bland, Trans-Tasman Trophy (although there is $1 million of prizemoney on offer as an inducement to play the day-night Test in Adelaide).

Advertisement

Perhaps it's time for a rethink, and the names of two of the sport's famous families to endorse the traditional long form.

Sir Richard Hadlee, the legendary fast bowler and now a New Zealand Cricket director, said on Wednesday that the Black Caps were determined to play entertaining cricket.

He also said it had been important for CA and NZC to "re-establish" a relationship and "grow it".

"Test cricket, particularly, needs some sort of revival. The brand and style of game that we are playing under the captaincy of Brendon McCullum, and the whole team and management have bought into the way they are playing, it's exciting," Hadlee said on Wednesday.

"It's attacking, it's aggressive, it's pro-active, particularly from McCullum, the way he sets fields and changes his bowlers. At times, it is high risk but with that risk come great rewards.

"The fact that we are winning Test matches and home and overseas ... this is an exciting side and it is worth watching these guys the way they go about their business."

At a time when Test cricket appears to be under threat, a strong series here will ensure there is another rivalry to help stoke supporter interest.

The West Indies once did that, and more, but the days of school children attempting to emulate Viv Richards, Joel Garner and Desmond Haynes are long gone, let alone even a Brian Lara.

The Windies are next up once this series is over, and authorities have concerns about the spectacle on offer for cricket's marquee events of Melbourne and Sydney.

Therefore, there is a need for this campaign against the Black Caps to be a strong one.

As it stands, there is much to like about the tourists. Emerging batsman Kane Williamson is tipped to become a star, while veterans Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum are potential match winners. And there has been plenty written about their new-ball pairing of Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

As Boult pointed out, this Australian side has lost several of its grizzled veterans. Conversely, this has meant there is a relative freshness about the team under the guidance of new skipper, Steve Smith. Depending on your viewpoint, this can be a good or bad thing. What it appears to have done is make this series more delicately placed.

CA chief James Sutherland was effusive when announcing that the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy would be dusted off, and pointed out there was much to celebrate "during the centenary year of the ANZAC".

"It's been a big year for cricket here in Australia and New Zealand, having co-hosted a really successful World Cup and both sides having performed so well," Sutherland said.

"But I think there's even greater significance when you consider this is the commemoration of the centenary of ANZAC this year and it reminds us of the great bond between the two countries, a great rivalry on the cricket field but a great bond off it."

Smith and David Warner may not quite have a "great bond" with Brendon McCullum at the moment – but that's fine. After all, it's the rivalry that we want.